No RF output

There are several ways to hook up a DVD player to a TV.

The simplest method, which works with any TV, is to use the DVD player's RF (radio frequency) output on channel 3 or 4, connect the output cable to the TV's antenna jack, and put the TV on the appropriate channel. There are two problems with this method, though. First, I'm not aware of any new players that have RF output these days. The manufacturers don't include it, figuring you'll be using the direct audio and video outputs. So if you're trying to connect a new player, you likely don't have this option. Second, if the player does have RF out, it's usually not stereo sound and the picture quality can suffer.

If the set has AV input jacks available, you would use those and select the AV input from the remote control or front panel. There are some possible problems with this method too. The biggest one is that if you've lost or thrown away the original remote, you might not be able to select the AV input. (Don't laugh, many people don't realize they should keep the original remote even if they never use it.) And on TV sets with only mono sound, you need a Y-adapter cable to combine the right and left audio outputs into one channel, so you lose any stereo effects.

The last way is for TVs without an AV input and DVD players without RF output. You use an RF converter (also called an RF modulator), which takes the audio and video signals from the player and makes a channel 3 or 4 signal you can tune in as I described earlier. RF converters are available at Radio Shack stores, most TV retailers and from many sources online. They're easy to connect, but you'll need an AC outlet nearby since they need power.

One of these methods will work for you, and you'll be watching DVDs soon. Thanks for using Fixya!

If your TV has AV inputs available, you can connect the video player there and switch to that input to watch it. I don't think your model does, though; I think it has only an antenna input connector. This means your set-top box will connect there but you have no place to connect the video player. In fact, most new video players only have AV outputs, and don't have an RF (radio frequency - a channel 3 or 4 TV signal) output connector, and you'd have problems connecting it anyway.

All is not lost, although you'll need some extra parts to hook everything up. I'm assuming the set-top box (STB) is going to your TV on channel 3 or 4, using a cable from the box to the TV antenna connector. If your video player does indeed have an RF output, the simple thing to do is get a splitter. They look like this:



Normally, a splitter is used to break one input signal (into the single connector) into two outputs (the connectors on the other side). But you can also use one backwards to combine two sources. So you can connect the RF cable from the STB to one output jack, connect the video player RF cable to the other, and connect the "input" side of the splitter to your TV antenna jack. If your STB is set for channel 3 output, set the video player for channel 4 so they won't interfere. Then you can tune the TV to channel 3 for TV signals from your STB, and to channel 4 for videos. I know, it sounds confusing.

If your video player doesn't have RF output, but just video and audio outputs, you need an RF converter. This device takes the AV output from the player and generates a channel 3 or 4 RF signal the TV can tune in. A typical converter looks like this:


Connect the AV outputs from the player to the jacks on the converter. The output cable from the STB will go to one of the round antenna connectors on the right, and the cable from the other one goes to your TV. When you aren't playing a DVD or tape, the converter passes the signal from the STB through to the TV. When you turn on the video player, the converter switches and you'll see the picture from the player. Most converters switch automatically, but on some you might have to flip a switch. RF converters are available from retailers who sell TVs or online.

I'm sorry if this seems unnecessarily complicated, but most TV sets today have plenty of inputs for all these things, and usually you just plug in the connecting cables and go. But with older sets or sets that don't offer the inputs, you need to go through these shenanigans. But once you have the parts hooked up, it's not too bad.

Hope this helps, and thanks for using Fixya!

Se o cabo esta ligado na saida RF do DVD a TV deve estar sintonizada no canal 3 ou 4, e a sintonia deve ser executada no DVD. Para usar o tuner da tv normalmente o aparelho de DVD devera estar desligado.

your tv do not have an audio/video input...what you need is a device called RF modulator, it converts the audio/video signal from your dvd player into RF signal similar to the signal from the cable operator.it has an audio/video input and a coaxial cable output..

Most DVD players today have only RCA jacks for video and audio outputs, and don't have RF (channel 3 or 4) outputs. If your TV doesn't have AV input jacks (either too old or just not supplied on your model) you can't connect the DVD player directly. You'll need to get an RF converter to make the connection.

An RF converter costs about $15 and you'll find them where you can buy TVs. The converter takes the video and audio signals from the DVD player and creates a channel 3 or 4 output signal to your TV. If you don't have the cables already, make sure to get them too. You need a "dubbing cable" (RCA plugs on the ends, usually color-coded red, white and yellow) to connect the DVD player to the converter input jacks and an RF cable with "F connectors" on the ends for the output to the TV. Often the dubbing cable comes with a new DVD player, and the RF cable with the RF converter.

If this takes care of your connection troubles, please take a moment to give my solution a good rating. If I've missed something and can be of more help, please post a followup comment.

instead of plugging in the rf modulator before the cable box, i plugged it in after it

What type of Inputs do you have on your TV. (ANT IN, S-Videio, RCA Video,RCA Audio)

If you only have a ANT In or RF Coaxial hook up you will need a RF Modulator

You might need one or both of:

RF modulator.
AV switch (perhaps from an old video game console)

The modulator accepts the RCA plugs from your DVD player (yellow, white, red) and outputs an RF signal.

You can then plug the ouput of the modulator into the aerial input of the skybox, via the switch, if desired.

If the original TV doesn't have audio/video inputs, you'll need a DVD/VCR player that has a built-in RF modulator. A RF modulator takes the audio & video and modulates a RF carrier to one of the channels that your TV can receive. In the U.S., this is usually channel 3 or 4. If the DVD/VCR player has a built-in tuner, connect your cable to the RF input of the DVD/VCR player and the RF Output of the DVD/VCR player to the cable input of the TV. This way, you can receive your cable channels through the DVD/VCR player and watch movies as well. If your DVD/VCR player does not have a built-in tuner, you can put a RF switch inline that will allow your TV to either receive the cable signal or signal from the DVD/VCR player.

Good luck!

- Jim